After a few weeks without any blockbuster movies, it looks like the box office will finally rise again with today's release of the Shia LaBeouf global conspiracy thriller Eagle Eye.  The film is expected to rake in about $25 million this weekend, but the terrible reviews might stop it from becoming a massive hit.  RottenTomatoes.com is reporting that only 28 percent of critics have given the film a positive rating, with MSNBC calling the film "unintentionally hilarious."  This marks the first reteaming of LaBeouf and director D.J. Caruso since their hit film Disturbia, which received much better reviews and went on to gross $80 million at the U.S. box office.

Read on for the prospects of this weekend's other new releases, including Miracle at St. Anna and Nights in Rodanthe.

Four movies are opening in limited release today, and though none of them will make a big dent at the box office they may be worth checking out.  Choke, a dark comedy based on a book by Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club), stars Sam Rockwell as a guy who manipulates people into giving him attention and money by pretending to choke in restaurants.  The film likely won't have the cultural impact of Fight Club, and it's also getting mixed reviews, with only 54 percent of critics giving it a thumbs up.

Another limited release is the Iraq War-themed drama The Lucky Ones, starring Tim Robbins, Rachel McAdams and Michael Pena.  You can read my review of the film here.  Fireproof is the latest Christian-friendly movie starring Kirk Cameron, and if the mere thought of that doesn't scare you away the movie may be for you.  Finally, Forever Strong brings together the unlikely trio of Gary Cole, Sean Faris and Penn Badgley (Gossip Girl) to tell an inspirational tale about American rugby.  Entertainment Weekly says that "the corny story is just as sappy as anything on Lifetime."

Moving on to the major releases, the new Spike Lee WWII drama Miracle at St. Anna hits theaters today.  I personally can't run far enough away from new Spike Lee movies, but that's just me.  Other critics seem to feel the same this time around, with only 35 percent of reviewers giving the film a pass.  Also in theaters is Nights in Rodanthe, which is adapted from the novel by Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook) and stars Richard Gere and Diane Lane.  The fact that only 27 percent of critics enjoyed the movie likely won't deter those looking for a romantic weepy.

It looks like this week we have a ton of movies with bad reviews hitting theaters.  It may be best to stay home and watch DVDs until next weekend.


- Don Williams, BuddyTV Staff Writer
Source: Rotten Tomatoes, MSNBC, Entertainment Weekly
(Image courtesy of Dreamworks)